title: Self-reported quality of life and depressive symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a cross-sectional survey study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to address the impact of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) on self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and depressive symptoms in different age groups of patients to discern a possible need for improved psychosocial support or counseling.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a German clinic for pediatric neurology, we performed a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in a total of 50 patients with DMD (i.e., n = 15 children aged 8 to 12 years; n = 11 adolescents aged 13 to 16 years; n = 24 young adults aged 17 to 23 years). We assessed self-reported HRQOL and symptoms of depression using validated, age-appropriate instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In children with DMD, virtually all aspects of HRQOL were significantly impaired when compared with published normative data for boys with other chronic illnesses. On the contrary, adolescents and adults with DMD did not differ from published normative data in psychosocial areas of HRQOL, despite significant reductions in physical aspects of HRQOL. Clinically relevant depressive symptoms were not observed in either age group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DMD may not always be associated with impaired psychosocial HRQOL and clinical depression, although progressive physical impairment leads to reduced physical aspects of HRQOL. Only children with DMD demonstrated marked impairments in psychosocial aspects of HRQOL calling for psychosocial interventions tailored to this age group.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sigrid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elsenbruch
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Soeren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geers
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult